Seeking

Bill Brinkworth

Man is an inquisitive creature. He is always seeking. Many times he is not aware that he is, but he is searching for something to fill an emptiness he has in his life.

This emptiness is in all men, because they are separated from their Creator. We no longer have daily fellowship in the Garden, as did Adam and Eve, and we need that relationship with God. Only a relationship with God can fill that void in one’s life. If man does not have the right direction, he will search his whole life and try to fill that craving for fellowship with God with the wrong things.

The Word of God has much to say about “seeking”. “Seek” is used 237 times in the Word of God. Many of those instances are in reference to seeking God. Here is some of what the Bible says about man’s struggle to find what is missing in his life:

Man seeks his own way and what he thinks is right:

Num.15:39 “And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:”

Man seeks where his flesh leads him. He looks where he feels good about what he sees or thinks.

Pro. 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Also: Pro. 16:25

He seeks fulfillment in doing what “everyone else is doing”, as in popular trends, TV talk show advice, what the media shows him may help, and even in the occult and man-made religion:

Lev. 19:31 “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.”
II Tim. 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (They look in false, unbiblical, man-made religions that appear to be what would please God.)

Fill the void by being busy (so he is does not have time to hear the Holy Spirit’s convicting voice), getting drunk, getting high, by being popular, sex …

Most are seeking God:

Because we innately know we can find Him if we look:

Deut. 4:29 “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Also: I Chron. 28:9, Jer. 29:13

Because we know we will be happier if we find God and can be close to Him:

I Chron. 16:10 “Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.” Also: Ps. 105:3

Because we know God will keep us from doing the wrong thing:

II Chron. 12:14 “And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.”

Because His way is right:

Isa. 45:19 “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.”

Because He is stronger than we are:

I Chron. 16:11 “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”

Because He will meet our needs:

Ps. 34:10 “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”
Mat.7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” Also Luke 11:9

Because we know if we do not have God’s leadership in our lives, our lives will have more than necessary hardships.
Because God promises He can be found and will intervene in our lives:

II Chron. 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Also: II Chron. 15:2

Because our way does not work!

Ps. 119:155 “ Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes”.

Because we will be blessed:

Ps. 119:2 “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

Most people are seeking God and how He can help them. Some have given up and are doing what they feel is right. Some have found God, have a relationship with Him, have his promise of going to Heaven one day, and have peace within their hearts. These people that have found God, His way as declared in God’s Word, have an obligation to help others who are seeking.

Those that are saved (John 3:16) need to share with others around them what the Bible says about God, His plan, and His way of Heaven. They also need to show and tell what God can do in one’s life by being a godly, Christian example for those that are seeking to see. People are still seeking, and it is up to us Christians to show them God’s way. If we do not, who will?

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” Isaiah 55:6

This lesson was featured in The Bible View #406.